An
appreciative audience packed into Westbury–sub–Mendip Village
Hall on Saturdaywhere
they were treated to a feast of poetry, prose, and food, when the
Poets and Pints show was revived after athree-year break.

It
was formed as an offshoot ofWestbury
Footlights many years ago.Founder
member, Christine Ellen, showed that she still retains her sense of
humour, with her rendition of her own composition, A dissertation on
the Malevolence of Inanimate objects and its Relation to Sod’s
Law.

Compere,
John Barkle, set the tone for an evening that put the tear ducts on
overtime, as we were either listening to poems that made us cry with
laughter, or trying to keep our emotions in check at a tearjerker.

Ray
Fisher was one performer who reached both ends of the spectrum with
the moving The Ring Your Mother Wore and the whimsical I Want To Go
To Heaven For The Weekend.Elizabeth
Barkle appealed to the ladies with her rhyme about how opinionated
most husbands are – except her own, of course.

Malcom
Mogford accompanied by the delightful Tasmin Maines, evoked memories
of the wonderful Flanders and Swan and they encouraged the audience
to join in the chorus on Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud.

An
international flavour was introduced to the proceedings when an
American, David Delgado, recited a 19th century poem
about an all American hero, Casey at the Bat.

During
the interval a slap-meal of a wonderful stew was greatly enjoyed.
Plates were piled high and second helpings available.Brilliant.Many
members of the audience had also entered a Limerick competition,
with the top three being read out to more amusement.

Local
vicar and author, Ewan McPherson tugged at everyone’s heart
strings with his moving eulogy to his wife, after Margaret Haslam
had wowed us with some of Pam Ayer’s poetry.

Professional
actress and local resident, Angela Barlow, had everyone in stitches
as she presented the alternative version of Goldilocks by Roald
Dahl.All too soon it
was time for the last sketch, performed by David Harding and
friends.

There
were so many highlights that only a representative sample have been
mentioned, but we all departedhaving enjoyed more than three hours delighting in food,
poetry and prose, performed with skill and talent, hoping that the
Poets and Pints revival will continue for many years to come.